Chaetopelma persianum

Persian gold tarantula
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Chaetopelma
Species:
C. persianum
Binomial name
Chaetopelma persianum
Zamani & West, 2023[1]

Chaetopelma persianum, the Persian gold tarantula, is a species of tarantula native to northwestern Iran.[2] First described in 2023, the species is the first of its genus to be recorded in Iran.[1]

Distribution

Chaetopelma persianum has been found at high altitudes in the Zagros Mountains, a mountain range in western Iran.[1][3] A photograph of a male spider from near Sulaymaniyah (Iraq) likely represents this species, but this requires further confirmation.[1]

Description

As of August 2023, measurements have only been recorded for females and are currently unknown for males.[1] Female Chaetopelma persianum have a leg span that measure about 9 centimeters.[4]

C. persianum are generally brown in coloration, with the carapace and chelicerae being golden.[1] The species is known to be burrowers.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Zamani, Alireza & West, Rick C. (2023-08-08). "A new species of Chaetopelma Ausserer, 1871 (Araneae, Theraphosidae) from Iran". ZooKeys (1174): 75–84. Bibcode:2023ZooK.1174...75Z. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1174.109135.
  2. ^ "Meet The Fancy New Persian Gold Tarantula, With Locks Of Golden Hair". IFLScience. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  3. ^ "Eight-eyed critter with 'woolly, golden hairs' found burrowing in Iran. See new species". Yahoo News. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  4. ^ Johnson, Chelsea (2023-08-09). "The Persian Gold Tarantula: A Newly Discovered Arachnid from Iran". Fagen Wasanni Technologies. Retrieved 2023-08-11.